Boaters and co-anglers interested in fishing the Phoenix Bass Fishing League presented by T-H Marine can register now for the 2026 season.
The Bass Fishing League is the only circuit where anglers can fish close to home with opportunities to advance to the All-American, Toyota Series Championship and even REDCREST, which provide opportunities to win top boater awards of $120,000, $235,000 and $300,000, respectively (including Phoenix MLF Bonuses).
The 2026 season introduces a new, streamlined payout structure that awards 20% of the field with 29% more money for a win and 25% more money for the last checks in every qualifier, all while reducing entry fees to $200 for boaters and $100 for co-anglers. That translates to a $4,000 top boater award based on a 100-boat field, scaling up to $7,750 at 200 boats, plus a $500 to $7,000 Phoenix MLF Bonus for qualified anglers. Co-anglers will earn a $2,000 top award at 100 boats, scaling up to $3,875 at 200 boats. Twenty percent of the field earns a check of at least $250 for boaters and $125 for co-anglers regardless of field size.
The 2026 season will also see the return to six Regionals, each awarding a $50,000 Phoenix 819 Pro with 200 HP outboard to the winning boater, plus a $500 to $7,000 Phoenix MLF Bonus for qualified anglers. Co-anglers will compete for a $33,500 Phoenix 518 Pro with 115 HP outboard, a 67% increase over 2025. Twenty percent of each field will earn a check of at least $450 for boaters and $225 for co-anglers, and the top seven boaters and co-anglers from each Regional will advance to the All-American, which will now feature a 56-boat field – 17% more anglers than 2025.
Participants must be MLF Premium Members to register for a tournament. Anglers can join or renew with MLF and register for tournaments at majorleaguefishing.com/join or by calling 270-252-1000.
Entry fees for qualifying events and the Super Tournaments are both lower in 2026. Entry fees for one-day qualifying tournaments are $200 per boater and $100 per co-angler. Two-day Super Tournament and Wild Card entry fees are $300 per boater and $150 per co-angler. Regional entry fees are $350 on the boater side and $175 on the co-angler side.
In addition to tournament winnings and postseason opportunities, the 7 Brew Angler of the Year in each division will receive $1,000. On the co-angler side, the best in each division will take home $500 in Co-angler of the Year prize money.
Big postseason opportunities
This season, anglers can qualify for six Regionals, where the first-place boater can take home a Phoenix 819 Pro with a 200 HP outboard top boater award, plus a Phoenix MLF Bonus of up to $7,000. The winning co-angler takes home a $33,500 Phoenix 518 Pro with 115 HP outboard.
Each Regional features anglers from four Divisions for a maximum field size of 200 boats. The top seven boaters and co-anglers in each Regional advance to the All-American, which features a larger field of 56 boaters and 56 co-anglers in 2027.
As has been the case the last two years, the All-American boater champion will advance to REDCREST for a shot at winning $300,000 and fishing against the best pros in bass fishing.
2026 Phoenix Bass Fishing League registration opening dates
Registration opens for the divisions listed beginning at 8 a.m. CT on the designated day.
- Dec. 1, 2025 – Bama, Choo Choo, Cowboy, Gator and Savannah River.
- Dec. 2, 2025 –Arkie, Bulldog, North Carolina, South Carolina and Volunteer.
- Dec. 3, 2025 – LBL, Mississippi, Okie, Ozark and Piedmont.
- Dec. 4, 2025 – Great Lakes, Hoosier, Mountain, Music City and Shenandoah.
- Dec. 5, 2025 – Buckeye, Illini, Michigan and Northeast.
- Phoenix boat owners (Phoenix owners with current registrations or confirmation of a boat order who will use their Phoenix boat in Bass Fishing League competition) and TBF members may enter all divisions by phone starting Nov. 26, 2025.
Other changes for 2026
The 2026 season brings a few other changes, in addition to the payout and entry fee enhancements. In 2026, boaters will be allowed to utilize forward-facing and 360-degree sonar for one three-hour segment during each competition day – allowing anglers to utilize the latest technology while also creating an environment in which traditional techniques remain highly competitive.
Register today!
You can join or renew with MLF at majorleaguefishing.com/join and register for tournaments directly from the schedule page or by calling 270-252-1000.
Boater and co-angler linking is not required, but entering with a boater or a co-angler ensures an even field and guaranteed confirmation. If you are not linking, be sure to enter early to help secure your spot in the tournament based on time and date.
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